Battle War; Magic, Sword and Dragon

Consultations

"This is the first time I've seen a child this sweet. I don't know why I want to have children soon."

Otome's eyes twinkled when she first saw the extremely sweet and cute Riku. Especially when Riku welcomes Laila with a way of walking that is still not stable. His behavior was a big attack for him.

"You.."

Riku chuckled as he looked at Otome. Then he swung his hand as if he wanted to carry Otome.

Since there was no problem, Laila let him. Unfortunately, it became a mistake because Otome could not hold herself back from Riku.

"This tenderness...Uuu's... I really can't stand it.."

Laila could only smile wryly. He was getting used to this, but he was still worried about Riku's abilities.

"Teacher Otome, why don't you have some tea?"

"Ah. sorry. I forgot myself."

Laila's words returned Otome to her mind who was being exposed to the strong temptation of Riku.

Otome then sat down on the sofa and calmed down. He tried to drink while keeping Riku from moving too much. Thankfully Riku seems like a smart kid and knows the right time to act spoiled.

"Yes... This is a refreshing tea. I haven't enjoyed tea this long."

"Well... Boris is a tea maker. It's not just the tea leaves that have to be delicious."

"You're too complimentary, Mrs Laila."

Boris looked down respectfully. He stood not far from her in order to prepare if Laila needed anything.

"You're right. But are we really in your house right now?"

Otome glanced all over the place. He remembered entering the small house with two floors, but right now he was like entering a vast majestic palace.

If you think logically, this is impossible.

"Didn't teacher Otome ever go to Kuro's house in the capital?"

"So this is Kuro's house in the capital? Geh's.. Don't tell me we're in the capital now?"

Otome didn't remember much when she was at Kuro's house, so she was a little surprised.

Laila smiled as if guessing what Otome was thinking.

"so. At first we thought about letting grandma come to our house in the city of Areshia. But mom and dad are vehemently against not being able to see their first grandchild every day. So to solve this problem, Kuro installed a magic tool that allows us to switch places. You remember when we entered the door on the right. On the door was a magic tool that connected the door with the door of this house."

In other words, if they wanted to enter Laila's small house, then they would have to enter through the left door. While the right door is a door that connects with the house in the capital.

"so apparently. He installed the Transition Door in ruma-..errr... Isn't that magic tool very expensive? I hear it's more expensive than a jewel the size of a fist?"

"Don't worry. This is not a problem for Kuro."

"That's it..."

Laila looked calm as if it was common. While Otome could not help but tremble because the general understanding he had was easily reversed.

Otome tried to calm herself down by drinking tea, but that was when Riku held her hand and patted her chest.

"Thank you.."

Otome smiled with pleasure, unfortunately Laila did not.

"Riqu.... I hope you don't hold on to the chest of someone you just met. Geez, you've always been like this.."

Riku's face turned blue as if getting a bad pressure. Riku tries to take cover by climbing over Otome, but Laila's hand quickly catches him.

"...you..."

Riku tried to thrash and grab Otome as if asking for help, but Otome could not because she could also feel the cold and sharp aura of Laila.

"I think his liking to a woman's chest is down from Kuro's. I hope he can hold back when he grows up."

"Ahaa, uh.."

Otome could only smile wryly.

Despite that, Riku instantly calmed down as Laila hugged him. Riku closed his eyes as if he wanted to sleep.

"He'll only sleep if I put him to bed. He's so spoiled like his father."

"He's too similar to Kuro."

Laila nodded her head in agreement.

Then after a while, Riku fell asleep like nothing had happened.

"... teacher Otome, I invited you to this house actually wanted to discuss some things with you. Do you mind?"

"..err.. No. gabe. Of course not. ehehe.."

Otome was nervous as the air around Laila changed. Now he's serious.

Despite being young, however, Laila's pressure was as heavy as someone who had experienced thousands of fights.

"There are actually two things I want to talk about. The first is about the magic formula we discussed earlier in school."

Otome was not too surprised to remember Laila was so interested in the topic while in class.

"Are you afraid of what happens later if the magic formula is completed?"

Given the potential that exists in the magic formula of Mana Converter, if used properly then it will change the world. And of course this would be the opposite if it was in the wrong hands.

"That too, but there's actually another reason. Forget the first problem, can you tell me what you know about the formula?"

"..."

Otome didn't answer right away because she was thinking about cause and effect if she told her.

(This magic formula is included in the lesson, but that does not mean it is something that must be known specifically. The question now is why and why he knows it)

After thinking for quite a while, Otome decided.

"I'm not forcing you, teacher Otome. I just want to know."

Laila's getting pressurized.

"....All right, but why do you want to know?"

"Using excuses for wanting to know more lessons is useless, so I'll be honest. This magic formula will probably be the way for me to use my Soul power."

"..."

Otome can't say a word.

"Is this too surprising? I currently possess Master equivalent strength, but that power is still immature. I need to be able to use Soul and Incarnation in order to become stronger."

Scarflare is a piece of Clocflare, which is why he cannot be said to have reached the SS rank magician.

"Ma.mmm..."

"When we use complicated magic arts, we must compile a formula in our head and release it into magic arts. My Soul power bears a resemblance to that."

"wait. Are you sure that's your strength? As far as I know Soul is a power unrelated to the normal rules of magic art."

His Eyes of Truth and Aldest's soul-separating power are among the most unique examples of Soul power. Since this power was difficult to explain, then the Soul power was still an unsolved mystery at this time.

That's why when he heard the way Laila described his Soul power, Otome couldn't help but be surprised.

"Relax teacher Otome By then you've seen myself using Hokami's powers. Indeed it is one of the powers born of the sacred blessing of Solaris, but that sacred blessing is only a trigger of my strength."

"...huh?"

"In short, my strength while using Hokami is my Soul power."

Otome's getting cold sweats.

♦♦♦

Otome tried to calm down by sipping the tea that turned out to have run out. Boris responsibly filled it again with the herbal tea he made quickly.

Herbal tea was chosen because it can calm the heart.

"Is this something that's surprising?"

On the other hand, Laila was so calm as if what she said was a small thing.

"Bu-not like that. If what you're using in the fight against Maria is your true strength, is there some kind of problem that you should use that magic formula?"

For Otome who saw the fight from afar could only tremble because he did not want to remember the fierce fight involving high-level Magic Art. To him, the power that Laila, Charlmilia, Kuro and Arthuria possessed was completely abnormal.

But for a researcher, in addition to Kuro's Darkness Art power, Laila's power, Hokami is also something so unique that he is eager to solve the mystery of it.

With this opportunity he may be able to get information or clues to solve the mystery, but if he sees the risks in the future, Otome chooses to bury his intentions and curiosity.

"There are actually many. First, it was a power that had not yet fully risen. I don't even have a magic name for it. Hokami is just a temporary magic name that I use in order to call her."

"..."

"Secondly, even though I know that power and how to use it, my current body is still unable to withstand its power. Even when I was with Solaris, this matter wasn't finished. The third problem, this power is very unstable. I can't count on holy blessings constantly."

Otome was silent in his mind.

He realized what Laila said was quite reasonable. A great power will have great risk.

But one thing was bothering him.

"...No magic name?"

Laila nodded.

"Is something wrong?"

"That's how it is." Otome answered confidently. "From here I'm beginning to understand why you're interested in the Mana Converter formula. With that formula you hope to include it in your Magic Art so that it can trigger the awakening of your power. Then you also hope with that you can reduce the burden on your body. I wrong?"

Laila smiled as if Otome's analysis was correct.

"I've guessed you're the right person to discuss this."

But there was no sign of joy from Otome when she received the compliment.

"Unfortunately, in this case you have a mistake, Laila."

"You mean?"

"You think that Soul is a power that has the name magic."

"What?"

As if knowing what Laila was thinking, Otome continued,..

"Different from Incarnation which is the embodiment when the Magic Beast or Magic Arm becomes a new figure, Soul does not have a second name. Even the name mentioned in the Soul power was actually just a designation to make it easy to just call him."

"Wait, I just heard this.."

Laila started to panic, but she immediately calmed down as she recalled holding onto Riku who was fast asleep.

"That's natural because at school it doesn't go so far about Soul. But for the possessor of Soul power like myself, this is something indisputable. You know the power of my eyes, Eyes of Truth is just a name. Even without me calling out the name magic, I can use it whenever I want."

"..."

"Then the other mistake is that you think the Soul Power is a beautiful power."

Otome gave a heavy sigh. He remembered something he wanted to forget.

"Witches who awaken Souls are extremely rare. Have you ever wondered how that power rises? This is only a theory, but Soul is power when a witch experiences a turning point in her life."

"Trip point?"

"When the one who has everything turns into the one who loses everything. The one who helps turns into the one who hurts. That kind. But it could also be when the witch was experiencing an unstable mental state. The point is, what I want to say is that Soul is an unpredictable force that will rise or not. Regarding your Soul power, it is still trying to get up, but the terms and conditions are still not possible. So I suggest you don't think about it too much."

Hearing Otome's long explanation, Laila fell silent calmly. He put his hand on his chin as if he was thinking carefully about what he had just heard and what actions he would take for this matter.

Suddenly Laila sighed.

"It seems useless to talk about this. Kuro said the same thing. I thought discussing with you would help me, but it's useless...?"

"ahahahahah.. "

Otome smiled wryly. I don't know why he wasn't surprised when Laila mentioned Kuro.

"Thank you teacher Otome, with this I know it is useless to rely on my strength that has not risen in the fight later. In the end I can only expect Kuro's power to fight against Victoria's daughter"

"..."

If they were to join the Battle War, the odds against Victoria were huge. With the power of his holy element, it took a special way to defeat him.

Kuro who has no magic can be the most suitable opponent for Victoria, but with Kuro's power alone it is not enough. Then considering the power Laila used when fighting with Maria, her strength was at least able to defend against the sacred elements.

Given all that, it was no wonder that Laila was eager to awaken her Soul power.

Otome understands that. He didn't think what Laila was doing was wrong. But when recalling the time he awakened his Soul power, it was not at all a beautiful memory.

"Don't worry, with the strength of both of you I'm sure you can do something. Then, what do you want to ask again?"

"You're right. We only have to use the power of both of us if we want to win from Victoria's daughter. Then, about the other thing I want to talk about is about Riku."

"Hm?"

Otome blinked her eyes twice in disbelief at what she had just heard.

"Teacher Otome, is it in your eyes that Riku is a normal child?"

"What?"

Otome noticed Riku who was fast asleep. Sometimes he smiled as if he were dreaming. Seeing that, Otome was eager to touch him or carry him. Not only that, I don't know why he didn't want to part with Riku.

"...?"

"Teacher Otome, do you realize what I mean? Right now your gaze cannot escape from Riku as if he were a sacred object."

"..."

Otome can't say a word. He realized something strange was happening to him. Riku's temptation was so strong that it made him lose control of himself.

Riku is indeed sweet, but this is far beyond normal.

"You realize what I mean? Kuro says this because Riku is loved by Solaris. With one of the strongest goddesses giving her love, it encourages others to love her."

"...if it's magic I'll definitely notice it, but as you say... I don't know why I love Riku so much."

Laila doesn't think much of it when Otome admits to loving Riku. That's not a big deal.

"I hear you're an expert in mind-manipulating magic. Is Riku's strength that type?"

"I understand what you're wiring. But I found no such sign. Maybe what Kuro said was true."

"Then is there some way to reduce that effect?"

Otome was silent for a moment as if thinking of something complicated.

"Honestly, I don't know. If this was the power of a witch then it would be another story."

"I see..."

Laila immediately looked glum. He really hoped that Otome could give him the answer he wanted.

"sorry. It's beyond my knowledge. But if anyone knows about this, I think that person should have a relationship with Solaris."

Laila sighed heavily. He's already given up.

"Oh yeah, teacher Otome has magic eyes right?"

"Don't you know? My Senrigan can know anything." Otome said proudly.

Although her strength was actually a secret, but since Laila had seen it, there was no need for secrets anymore.

"Then, can you see what really happened to Riku?"

Not only Otome, but Boris was also surprised.

"If you can tell, what is the reason? You don't want me to do it just because he has the power to attract other people, do you?"

"That's kind. Did you feel anything strange last night?"

"No. I don't feel anything."

Laila was silent for a moment before continuing.

"...me and Kuro really love Riku. That's how old people are. But I'm the one who can't see him get hurt or see him do something dangerous. While Kuro is different, he sometimes likes to annoy Riku by distancing himself from him. Sometimes it makes me cry. I knew he had no ill intentions and just wanted to play with Riku, but something unexpected happened."

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

"Last night Riku woke up from bedwetting. To put her to bed again, I suckled her, but Kuro prevented that so Riku cried even more. It was at that moment that Riku released magic energy that made all the items in our house thrown. Not only that, the wave of magic energy extended to the entire city of Areshia."

"But-but..."

Otome never hesitated with Laila's explanation, but there are parts that stuck.

"Right, if magic energy was normal, it could definitely be felt by all magicians. Then the other abnormal how does a one-year-old child have such magic energy?"

Otome is sweating coldly. She could imagine what Laila felt when she had a child like Riku.

"Kuro told me that Riku does have a great amount of magic energy, but is that all?"

"..."

"After the incident Kuro acted strangely. He suddenly decided to seal Riku's power. I understand that having a large amount of magic energy at an early age is very dangerous considering the many events in which the child could not control its power, but I had heard this from Kuro even though he said it quietly. 'It's too fast'. I don't know what he's hiding from me, but he's not telling me at all."

"..."

It's something Otome didn't expect, which is why she couldn't say anything. Kuro and Laila's relationship is so famous because both are very romantic and trust each other either in battle or when facing problems.

But as the saying goes 'no one is perfect in anything'. This is perfect for describing the relationship of Laila and Kuro.

"Teacher Otome?"

"I'm sorry, I just think that Kuro is often hiding something?"

You could say Kuro has too many secrets.

"That's how it is, but there's no secret he's hiding from me as long as I ask exactly."

"Hm?"

Otome tilted her head in ignorance.

"Easy, Kuro will tell you everything, but if I ask him the wrong question, he won't answer it. Of course I could tell if he was lying or not, but when I asked 'What are you hiding about Riku?'. He did not answer with honesty at all, but at the same time he did not lie."

Laila sighed heavily.

"He often mixes lies with truth. I've gotten used to it and feel natural, but it would be different when it comes to Riku. I want him to keep nothing from me. Do you now understand why I'm asking you?"

Unconsciously Otome broke out in a cold sweat. He understood what Laila wanted to say, but at the same time he understood this was a burden.

If Kuro is keeping something from Laila, it means a very big secret or a secret that he can't even tell his loved ones. And that means a big problem.

With his strength it was possible that he could see the secret. It is such a huge burden.

"..."

Considering all the problems that are to come, refusing is the right choice.

But...

"Teacher Otome, can you imagine what I feel as a mother? If you can't do it for me, can you do it for Riku? Consider it for his future."

His eyes were so sincere and when he remembered Riku, Otome could not resist. There was a push that made him unable to do so.

"For the sake of Riku I will."

Otome's eyes were filled with vigor.

Unfortunately, that's when the front door opens a sign of people coming.

"Oh yeah oh yeah, looks like we're getting guests."

"Grandma, are you back?"

Scarlet came with a smile. He was carrying a bag full of stuff.

Boris swiftly brought the bag.

"Please in your usual place."

Boris nodded and left. Meanwhile, Scarlet just sat down to accompany them.

"Hm? Riku was asleep apparently. How about I take her to the room?"

"Attent, grandma. Master Otome, can you do it?"

"Ah. yeah... "

Otome quickly activated her magic eye, Eyes of Truth. With the ability of his eyes he could see anything that was on Riku.

He obtained quite complete information such as age, name, magic elements and in the form of sacred blessings given by Solaris.

But that was when he saw the shocking information.

"Teacher Otome, have you? If so, I'll give Riku to grandma."

"..Um. that's."

Laila gives Riku with a heart to Scarlet. Scarlet smiled and accepted Riku while trying not to wake her up.

Then Scarlet stepped her foot away, unfortunately in the moment before leaving, she showed Otome a cold and bloodthirsty look as if she was hostile to him.

Since bloodthirst was only aimed at Otome, Laila was unaware of it. This was one of the techniques of a mage who had experienced many battles like Scarlet.

"Teacher Otome, is there a problem?"

"T-No. I just thought about how I could convey this to you ahaha.."

Otome consciously has put herself in big trouble. That bloodthirsty look was a sign and a warning to him.

"So.. Then did you find the thing that Kuro was hiding?"

"Hmm. how to say it." Cold sweat runs down the temples of Otome. "You know that Riku has a great amount of magic energy, but do you know how big it is?"

"I've checked it. I was quite surprised when he had almost the same magic energy as me."

Laila smiled as she said it, but Otome couldn't do it. Having magic energy as big as Laila's at such an early age proved how terrifying it would be if Riku could not control her power.

"Thank God. Then you understand why Kuro wants to seal his powers."

"I understand that. So I'm not resisting at all. All I want to know is is is is there anything else Kuro has hidden?"

Otome's getting depressed.

"Well, I'll say it soon." Otome sighed deeply. "I found a holy blessing that bothered me enough. It seemed like it made Riku able to use the power of gods. The power of this god seemed to have the effect of strengthening Riku's power several times over. Then if you look at the effects you told me about last night, this power might be triggered by his emotions."

"...hm..."

"Is there anything lacking?"

"No. But if it's just like that, I don't think it's an issue she should hide."

"...a-I don't know what Kuro's thinking. But it's possible that he's worried that someone knows that Riku's power will try to get his power or use it as it did for Lic."

Laila fell silent at the thought of what Otome said. He also thought of the reason Kuro had kept this matter a secret on him.

"Kuro said 'this is too soon', maybe what he meant was when Riku accidentally used the power of the holy blessing. I don't think Kuro meant anything bad. It's just that maybe this has become his habit."

Otome added.

"alright. I think I was the one who was thinking too much. I should have known that Kuro did this for Riku. I really feel guilty for thinking badly of her."

"Then it's all done. Ah. It's like this. I have a lot of business I've done."

When they saw the clock, they spoke for longer than they thought.

"Aren't you going to have dinner with us? Dad and Mom would usually join us."

"...I think next time."

Inwardly he could imagine going to dinner with Leon, and Lia. So he couldn't resist the pressure he felt.

Otome got up and started to say goodbye.

"Teacher Otome, I'll drop you off."

"No need. I'm using the left door, right? Please give my regards to Riku."

"I'll deliver it."

Afterwards, Otome arrives in the town of Areshia in front of Kuro's small house.

"Huh.."

Otome instantly limp. He fell down with a comfortable feeling of finally being able to breathe a sigh of relief from all that heavy pressure.

"Sorry, Laila. I lied to you."

How many things he didn't tell Laila. It might be inappropriate because Laila is Riku's mother. But if you look at the situation, maybe this is what Kuro hid from Laila.

With magic he decided to erase the memories regarding Riku's information. If he had that information, he wouldn't know if tomorrow would still be able to breathe.

Moreover, at this moment he felt a murderous aura surrounding him from all directions.

"It seems you decided the right thing."

Otome smiled as she heard from a not-so-shocking voice.

"I don't have any other choice. Right, Boris?"